Tatachilla Lutheran College

Infobox Aust school
name = Tatachilla Lutheran College


motto = "Teaching the Love of Christ"
established = 1995
type = Independent/Lutheran
principal = Mr. Colin Minke
city = McLaren Vale
state = South Australia
country = Australia
campus=Rural
enrolment = 1000+
colours = Cardinal Red, Black and White
homepage = [http://www.tatachilla.sa.edu.au/ www.tatachilla.sa.edu.au]

Tatachilla Lutheran College is a R-12 non-government school at McLaren Vale, South Australia. It was officially opened on the 29th of January, 1995 by Rev. Garrie Fischer. From 1995 until 2001 Tatachilla was a secondary school (years 8-12), and from 2002 the primary (R-7) school was added.

The founding Principal, Mr. Richard Bruss, has retired, effective from late June 2007. Mr. Colin Minke has since taken over the position.

ub Schools

At the end of 2005 the Primary School and Secondary School sections of Tatachilla were divided into three separate sub schools.
*Junior School: Reception to Year 5
*Middle School: Years 6 to 9
*Senior School: Years 10 to 12

Many students come to Tatachilla in year 8 from surrounding Lutheran feeder schools on the Fleurieu Peninsula, so the middle school is emphasised on getting students comfortable with secondary school. During each year of middle school the students are in the same class for most subjects and have the same teacher for most subjects.

In the Senior school students start their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) by doing the compulsory SACE subjects in Year 10 (Stage 1 Australian Studies and Stage 1 Work Education). After Year 10 there is the option of completing SACE, Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses or a combination of both.

Facilities and Curriculum

Performing arts

Tatachilla has a strong emphasis on the performing arts. Students can undertake music and drama, and there are also private music lessons available. Tatachilla Lutheran College stages a musical every second year, and in the alternate year participates in the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.

People from the school community and the wider community can become involved with the performing arts at Tatachilla. To perform the musicals people are invited from the community to perform and to become part of the chorus. From the musical that was performed in 2005 by Tatachilla, The Sound of Music, the ladies who were the chorus of Nuns' have formed a choir which meets and performs regularly. Following on from this Choir, a men's barbershop group was formed, which also meets and performs regularly. The college also hosts the McLaren Vale Community Christmas Carols each year, with the choirs from the college and other schools, a guest artist and invites musicians from all over the Fleurieu Peninsula to form an orchestra for the event.

For the involvement of the performing arts in the wider community, Tatachilla Lutheran College won the National 2006 ABC Classic FM Flame Award, which showcases outstanding music programs in Australian Schools.

cience

Tatachilla now has 6 science labs, after the completion of 2 new science labs in 2006. Chemistry, Biology and Physics courses are offered.

English, Geography, History and LOTE (Languages other than English)

English, Geography and History courses are offered at Tatachilla. For LOTE Japanese courses are offered.

Technology

Tatachilla's computer network are predominantly Apple Mac based, with 5 out of 7 computer areas running Mac OS X, with the remaining 2 running Windows XP. Landline broadband was not available in the area some years ago, so other methods to obtain fast internet were looked into. This led to the introduction of a two-way satellite internet link, which is still used today. A Virtual Private Network is also available, which allows students to access the school server from any computer that has an internet connection.

There is also woodwork, metal work and electronics room with these courses being offered.

Religion

*Religion lessons are mandatory for all years. During these lessons students learn about Christianity and other religions, relevant issues and also complete service projects.

Environment

Tatachilla has an EcoClassroom with native plant species and small animal species. There are different areas of habitat including a wetland area. Attached to the EcoClassroom there is an Automatic Weather Station monitored by students and available on the school network.

References

* [http://www.abc.net.au/classic/flame/ ABC Classic FM Flame Award]

ee also

*List of schools in South Australia

External links

* [http://www.tatachilla.sa.edu.au Tatachilla Website]